Heat only boilers are also known as ‘regular’, ‘traditional’, ‘open vent’ or ‘conventional’ boilers.
If you are replacing an old boiler and have a small expansion tank and a larger cold water storage cistern in your loft space, you probably already have a heat only boiler. If your home has an older heating system, replacing the existing heat only boiler with a new, more efficient model of heat only boiler may be the best option, as the system may not cope with the higher water pressure delivered by a combi or system boiler. Heat only boilers are also a good option for homes in areas with low water pressure and those with multiple bathrooms.
Heating systems for heat only boilers need two water tanks in the loft, a hot water storage cylinder and a pump to push the hot water around the system, as well as a timer and room thermostat. One of the tanks draws water from the mains and fills the hot water cylinder, which is then heated by the boiler to supply plenty of hot water to all the taps in the home. The other tank, commonly known as the feed and expansion tank, is usually smaller and keeps the water in the heating system at the correct level. It also allows for expansion in both tanks when the water gets hot.
The real benefit of a heat only boiler is that several hot water taps can be run at the same time, making it the perfect option for busy families and homes with several bathrooms.
Since the Building Regulations changed in April 2018, known as Boiler Plus, all boiler installations must include a timer and room thermostat.
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